Interim Results

Scottish & Southern Energy PLC 07 November 2002 N E W S R E L E A S E F R O M . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE USE Ref: NR-2211 7 November 2002 INTERIM RESULTS for the six months to 30 September 2002 Financial • Pre-tax profit up 7.7% to £254.7m • Earnings per share up 5.5% to 23p • Interim dividend up 8.2% to 10.5p per share • £69.3m positive cash flow, before acquisitions Operational • Over 240,000 supply customers gained since January 2002 • £11.2m (8%) additional cost savings achieved • First hydro-electric station refurbished under £450m renewables programme • Acquisition of gas storage business at Hornsea (Note: All financial information is stated before goodwill and the impact of FRS 19 on deferred tax. Results for 2001 have been re-stated in line with FRS17) Dr Bruce Farmer, Chairman of Scottish and Southern Energy, said: 'Scottish and Southern Energy has delivered another six months of good financial and operational performance, which confirms our ability to deliver solid, consistent growth. Pre-tax profit, earnings per share and the dividend have all increased, and we remain focused on the management of our core activities. With the highest quality generation plant, the most efficient electricity networks and growing customer numbers, I am confident that our focused, disciplined plans for the future will deliver substantial shareholder value in the years ahead.' Overview Scottish and Southern Energy plc (SSE) produced financial and operational results in the six months to 30 September 2002 which add to its well-established track record of good, consistent performance. There was a 7.7% increase in profit before tax and goodwill, with profit growth in Power Systems and in the 'Other Businesses' segment. There was a fall in profit before tax in Generation and Supply, reflecting in particular a more stable environment within the New Electricity Trading Arrangements (NETA). In the first half of the year, SSE has completed a series of actions to build for future growth, with the achievement of a further £11.2m of cost savings, implementation of the first phase of the £450m programme of investment in renewable energy, an increase in the number of supply customers and the acquisition of the gas storage business at Hornsea in East Yorkshire. Power Systems Operating profit in Power Systems increased by 5% to £140.4m. In Scotland, greater income due to the mix of units distributed and a 1.9% reduction in controllable costs more than offset the 1.3% fall in the units distributed. As a result, operating profit rose by 2.4%. In England, greater income was earned from an improvement in the mix of units distributed. There was also an increase of 0.9% in the number of units distributed and more income for the metering business. These, combined with a reduction of 1.5% in controllable costs, resulted in an increase of 6.8% in operating profit. SSE's aim is to ensure the electricity network is safe and robust, able to withstand as far as possible severe weather, and other interruption risks. In the six months to 30 September, the average number of minutes lost per customer was 34, down from 40 in the previous year. Following the severe storm in the south of England on Sunday, 27 October, over 98% of SSE customers affected had their supply of electricity restored by the following day. SSE delivered a performance unsurpassed by any of the distribution companies dealing with the consequences of the storm. Overall, this performance, combined with the ongoing investment made in the electricity network, has reinforced SSE's position as the most efficient network operator in the UK. Generation and Supply Operating profit in Generation and Supply fell by 6.6% to £108.1m, reflecting a reduced contribution from trading under NETA. In its second year, NETA has operated in a more mature manner, allowing less scope for securing profit in the balancing market. Around £5m of total operating profit can be attributed to SSE's effectiveness in the balancing market in the six months to 30 September, compared with £15m in the same period last year. Ofgem has provisionally approved the revised terms to the Nuclear Energy Agreement (NEA), in line with the announcement on 16 July. As a result, SSE will purchase electricity from British Energy under arrangements much more closely linked to market prices and terms for baseload energy in England and Wales. These changes have offset the impact of lower wholesale prices in Scotland. Although SSE's portfolio of gas-fired power stations is the most thermally-efficient in the UK, results in England and Wales have been affected by low wholesale electricity prices, given that a proportion of the generation output is sold into the wholesale, industrial and commercial markets. If wholesale prices improve from their current levels, SSE will benefit in due course. Looking ahead, the £450m investment programme in renewable generation has begun, with refurbishment work at eight hydro-electric power stations, totalling 136MW in capacity. The second phase of the programme will begin in 2002/03, and will cover stations at Shin, Mossford, Grudie Bridge, Quoich and Finlarig, with a total installed capacity of around 90MW. When refurbished, the output of these stations qualifies for Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs). Electricity from the first station refurbished under the programme was generated in September. Based on average rainfall, the output from SSE's refurbished hydro stations qualifying for ROCs is expected to be around 200GWh in 2002/03 and over 1,000GWh in 2003/04. Within Supply, there were lower energy sales in the six months to 30 September, compared with the same period last year, following the reduction in customer numbers which occurred during 2001. The number of supply customers is, however, now growing strongly and the impact of this growth on margins will be reflected in results for the second half of the year. In total, SSE has had a net gain of over 240,000 supply customers since the start of 2002. This comprises around 160,000 customers gained as a result of organic growth and around 80,000 customers acquired from Cambridge Gas and Electricity on 4 November 2002, for a total consideration of around £4m. SSE now has the fastest organic growth of any Supply business in the UK. It has been very successful both in retaining existing and acquiring new customers. The strategy of focusing on the portfolio of strong regional brands has been vindicated by the addition of over 160,000 supply customers, principally in the traditional Scottish Hydro-Electric, Southern Electric and SWALEC areas. This includes a successful contract round in October, with a net gain of business customers covering 11,000 sites throughout Great Britain. SSE continues to have the lowest cost-to-serve of any energy supplier in the UK and achieved a further 11% fall in related controllable costs in the first six months of the year. A recent survey by JD Power confirmed that it has the joint highest customer satisfaction amongst UK energy suppliers. SSE energy supply customers also have special access to additional products and services, such as those provided by the Retail business and SSE Contracting, thereby adding value to the strength of SSE's offering to customers. SSE Contracting, SSE Telecom and other businesses Operating profit from other businesses, including SSE Contracting, increased by 22.5%, contributing an additional £6.3m to operating profit. At £34.3m, operating profit from other businesses represents 12.1% of SSE's overall total. A significant increase in operating profit was achieved in SSE Contracting, through improved turnover and lower overheads. SSE Contracting is the UK's largest street lighting contractor, and is part of the consortium which has recently been appointed preferred bidder to deliver a 25-year street-lighting contract for Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The Connections business, which develops and operates local electricity networks and multi-utility connections, also performed particularly well. The direct Retail business more than doubled its sales, to over £2m. Despite difficult market conditions, SSE Telecom remains profitable. Gas storage: SSE Hornsea Ltd SSE completed the purchase of Dynegy Hornsea Ltd (since renamed SSE Hornsea Ltd) on 30 September 2002, for a total consideration of £129m plus £1.4m working capital. The operating profit figures for the first six months do not, therefore, include any trading results from gas storage. The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing, pre and post goodwill, in the first year, with the goodwill charge expected to be around £3m a year. It will enable SSE to benefit from the ownership and management of a major facility which comprises 9% of the total UK gas storage capacity. There is substantial and ongoing demand for the facility, and its importance should increase further as gas trading arrangements are reformed and as the UK becomes increasingly dependent on imports of gas. Cost Savings SSE has already secured annualised post-merger cost savings of £145m, significantly exceeding the original post-merger target of £90m. A revised target of £160m was set in May 2002. Following a further reduction in controllable costs of £11.2m in the first half of the year, representing 8% of the overall total, the £160m target should be exceeded by the end of this financial year. Group Capital Expenditure Group capital expenditure and investment, excluding the gas storage business, totalled £114.7m during the first half of the year, compared with £137.8m in the same period last year. This partly reflects the completion of investment programmes in thermal generation and in the telecoms infrastructure. In addition, while there is continued investment in strengthening the electricity networks, in line with plans for the five-year price review period, capital expenditure in Power Systems was lower than last year. The main increase was in Generation, with the refurbishment work being carried out at eight hydro-electric power stations. Interest Charge The net interest charge for the first six months of the year was £45m, compared with £53.6m in the previous year. This reflects lower average debt and the reduction of interest charges due to the repayment in March 2002 of the 10.25% Southern Electric £150m Bond, which was replaced with lower-cost long-term funding. Tax The effective underlying current tax rate was 23%, a slight increase on last year, reflecting the lower capital spend. FRS 19 was adopted on deferred tax liabilities in 2001/02. As these are only a potential exposure, discounting has been applied to reflect the long-term nature of assets and this impacts on both the profit and loss account and the balance sheet. The headline tax charge is now 28.3%, compared with 26.1% in the same period last year, and an additional discounted liability of £13.2m has been recognised on the balance sheet at 30 September 2002. This reflects the increase in current tax and a reduction in the discount rate applying to long-term liabilities. TXU Trading The issues arising from recent developments at TXU Europe have been well-documented. SSE has a number of contracts with TXU Europe Energy Trading Ltd (TXU Trading), the only material one being a 14 year contract originally entered into in 1997. Under it, TXU Trading is contracted to purchase the equivalent of 3.1TWh of electricity per annum from SSE at a level significantly above the current market price. The contract remains in operation, although TXU Trading has opened discussions about the future of the arrangement. SSE is working to ensure those discussions reach a satisfactory conclusion. SSE also believes it has a reasonable level of protection in the event of TXU Trading ceasing to honour the contract. If, however, the contract was terminated, with no recovery, the net present value reduction, over the life of the contract, arising from its loss would be around £175m, after tax. In addition, TXU Trading takes 27.5% of the power from Barking Power Limited (BPL), of which SSE owns 22.05%, at a price significantly above current market levels. If BPL was unable to recover what it is contractually entitled to, SSE would suffer a reduction in the earnings it receives from the investment which, in 2001/02, amounted to £5m after tax. Earnings per share Earnings per share increased by 5.5% to 23p, before goodwill and the impact of FRS19. This builds on the previous three years' performance, during which earnings per share grew by 33%. Dividend The Board is declaring a half-year dividend of 10.5p per share, an increase of 8.2% on last year. This is again significantly ahead of target. SSE remains confident it will achieve the enhanced dividend target announced in May 2002 of at least 4% real growth for each of the years to March 2004 and sustained real growth to March 2005. Cash Flow and Balance Sheet In the six months to 30 September 2002 SSE achieved a positive cash flow of £69.3m, before the acquisition of SSE Hornsea for £129m, plus £1.4m of working capital. The previous year's cash flow of £95m was boosted by a major reduction in the level of energy debt following migration of all customers on to a single IT system in 2001. FRS 17 was adopted in full for 2001/02 for the treatment of the pension scheme assets, liabilities and costs. At 30 September 2002, the FT-SE Index closed at 3,721. Consequently a pensions scheme liability of £188.5m is reflected in the balance sheet. The balance sheet remains one of the strongest in the global utility sector and SSE continues to have an AA- credit rating. This gives SSE significant competitive advantage in terms of cost of funding and supporting new developments. The underlying interest cover was almost seven times compared with almost six times a year ago. The share buy-back programme has also continued, with the purchase of 345,000 shares, at an average price of 589p and total cost of £2m. Strategy and Outlook SSE believes that effective management of core activities is the best way of meeting its dividend targets and delivering long-term shareholder value. For this reason it will continue to focus on building a vertically-integrated, UK-focused energy company. From time-to-time, as merger and acquisition opportunities arise, SSE will pursue those that deliver value for shareholders, such as the acquisition of the gas storage business at Hornsea. Nevertheless, SSE's ability to achieve future growth in earnings is not dependent on merger or acquisition activity. It will not jeopardise shareholder value by paying inflated prices for assets. There are significant opportunities for SSE to deliver solid, sustainable earnings growth in the years ahead in its existing generation, transmission, distribution and supply operations, as well as in its other businesses. Consequently, SSE is well on course to deliver its enhanced dividend targets. - ENDS - For further information please contact: Scottish and Southern Energy Alan Young - Director of Corporate Communications 0870 900 0410 Denis Kerby - Investor Relations Manager 0870 900 0410 Financial Dynamics Andrew Dowler 020 7831 3113 Fiona Meiklejohn 020 7831 3113 There will be an analysts presentation starting at 9.30am at the offices of Financial Dynamics, Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings, London. Webcast facility: www.scottish-southern.co.uk PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the period 1 April 2002 to 30 September 2002 Year to Note Half Year to Half Year to 31 March 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 £m unaudited unaudited £m restated £m ______________ _____________________________________________ _______ __________________ __________________ 4,005.6 Total group turnover 6 1,822.1 1,804.6 ______________ _____________________________________________ _______ __________________ __________________ 602.0 Group operating profit 246.2 241.9 Share of operating profit in: 28.8 - Joint ventures 15.7 14.4 35.7 - Associates 15.2 15.3 ______________ _____________________________________________ __________________ __________________ 666.5 Total operating profit 6 277.1 271.6 1.6 Income from fixed asset investments 0.4 0.4 Net interest payable: (74.2) Group (29.7) (36.8) (13.2) Joint ventures (6.5) (7.3) (19.3) Associates (8.8) (9.5) 24.3 Other finance income 16.5 12.2 ______________ ____________________________________________ __________________ __________________ 585.7 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 249.0 230.6 154.6 Taxation 3 70.5 60.2 ______________ ____________________________________________ __________________ __________________ 431.1 Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 178.5 170.4 0.5 Equity minority interests in subsidiary - 0.2 undertaking ______________ _____________________________________________ __________________ __________________ 431.6 Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders 178.5 170.6 278.5 Dividends 7 90.2 83.8 ______________ _____________________________________________ __________________ __________________ 153.1 Retained profit 88.3 86.8 ______________ _____________________________________________ __________________ __________________ 50.3p Earnings per share - basic 8 20.8p 19.9p 54.7p - adjusted 8 23.0p 21.8p 50.2p - diluted 8 20.7p 19.8p __________ __________________________________ ______________ ______________ 32.4p Dividend per ordinary share 7 10.5p 9.7p ______________ __________________________________ __________________ __________________ BALANCE SHEET At 30 September 2002 At 31 March At 30 Sept. 2002 At 30 Sept.2001 2002 unaudited unaudited restated £m Note £m £m _______________ ______________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 4,057.6 Fixed assets 4,221.5 4,043.6 _______________ ______________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ Current assets 54.6 Stocks 65.2 56.5 577.0 Debtors 427.3 477.4 23.7 Investments 10.1 28.4 25.0 Cash at bank and in hand 21.9 24.4 (1,153.7) Creditors - amounts falling due within one year (1,039.0) (1,351.6) _______________ ______________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ (473.4) Net current liabilities (514.5) (764.9) _______________ _____________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 3,584.2 Total assets less current liabilities 3,707.0 3,278.7 (1,392.4) Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one year (1,408.2) (1,152.6) (549.9) Provisions for liabilities and charges (575.6) (548.1) _______________ _____________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 1,641.9 Net assets excluding pension asset/(liability) 1,723.2 1,578.0 _______________ _____________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 79.8 Pension asset 4 - 91.0 (15.4) Pension liability 4 (188.5) - _______________ _____________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 1,706.3 Net assets including pension asset/(liability) 1,534.7 1,669.0 _______________ _____________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 430.1 Called up share capital 430.1 430.1 1,276.0 Reserves 1,104.5 1,238.4 _______________ ______________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 1,706.1 Total shareholders' funds 9 1,534.6 1,668.5 0.2 Equity minority interests in subsidiary undertaking 0.1 0.5 _______________ _____________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 1,706.3 1,534.7 1,669.0 _______________ ______________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ 70.8% Gearing 82.6% 74.8% _______________ ______________________________________________________ _________________ _______________ CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the period 1 April 2002 to 30 September 2002 Year to Half Year to Half Year to 31 March 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 unaudited unaudited restated £m Note £m £m ______________ __________________________________________________________ _____ _________________ _____________ 816.6 Net cash inflow from operating activities 10 439.4 472.1 16.1 Dividends from joint ventures, associates and trade 10.5 14.1 investments (67.7) Returns on investments and servicing of finance (28.9) (39.9) (127.8) Taxation (64.6) (39.4) ______________ __________________________________________________________ _________________ _____________ 637.2 Free cash flow 356.4 406.9 (264.8) Capital expenditure and financial investment (93.1) (141.1) 20.0 Acquisitions and disposals (130.4) - (263.4) Equity dividends paid (194.9) (180.3) ______________ __________________________________________________________ _________________ _____________ 129.0 Cash (outflow)/inflow before management of liquid resources (62.0) 85.5 and financing 7.6 Management of liquid resources 13.6 2.9 (139.6) Financing 45.3 (91.3) ______________ __________________________________________________________ _________________ _____________ (3.0) Decrease in cash in the period (3.1) (2.9) ______________ __________________________________________________________ _________________ _____________ STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES For the period 1 April 2002 to 30 September 2002 Year to Half Year to Half Year to 31 March 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 unaudited unaudited restated £m £m £m ________________ _______________________________________ __________________ ________________ Profit for the financial period: 410.3 Group 169.1 162.3 11.5 Joint ventures 4.5 4.9 9.8 Associates 4.9 3.4 ________________ ____________________________________________________ __________________ ________________ 431.6 Profit for the financial period: 178.5 170.6 (110.6) Actuarial loss recognised in respect of pension fund (260.7) (84.0) ________________ ___________________________________________________ __________________ ________________ 321.0 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the (82.2) 86.6 financial period ________________ ___________________________________________________ __________________ ________________ NOTES TO THE INTERIM ACCOUNTS 1. Basis of preparation The interim report has been prepared on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those set out in the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2002. The financial information in this report does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. It is unaudited but has been reviewed by the auditors. Figures for the year to 31 March 2002 included within this report are an abridged version of the full accounts which carry an unqualified auditor's report and have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. 2. Approval The interim report for the six months ended 30 September 2002 was approved by the directors on 7 November 2002. 3. Taxation The corporation tax charge reflects the anticipated effective rate on profit before taxation for the Group for the year ending 31 March 2003. The anticipated effective rate for the Group for the current year, after charging deferred tax, is 28.3% (2002: 26.1%). 4. Pensions Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17 'Retirement Benefits' was adopted in full in the accounts to the year ended 31 March 2002. This involved a significant change to the measurement and presentation of pension scheme assets, liabilities and costs. Under FRS 17, pension scheme assets are measured using market values. Pension scheme liabilities are measured using the projected unit actuarial method and are discounted at the current rate of return on a high quality corporate bond of equivalent term and currency to the liability. Any increase in the present value of liabilities within the Group's defined benefit pension schemes expected to arise from employee service in the period is charged to operating profit. The expected return on the schemes' assets and the increase during the period in the present value of the schemes' liabilities arising from the passage of time are included in other finance income. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in the consolidated statement of total recognised gains and losses. Pension scheme surpluses, to the extent that they are considered recoverable, or deficits are recognised in full and presented on the face of the balance sheet net of related deferred tax. The Group also operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group in an independently administered fund. The amounts charged against the profits represent the contributions payable to the scheme in the period. The effect of adopting FRS 17 on the group's reported results and net assets at 30 September 2001, and the comparative movements in the period to 30 September 2002, were as follows: Half Year to Half Year to Half Year to Half Year to 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 30 Sept. 2001 unaudited unaudited unaudited unaudited Profit attributable to shareholders £m £m £m £m _____________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ As previously reported - 167.1 Impact of FRS 17 - Increased charge to operating profit (8.7) (8.7) - Increased finance income 16.5 12.2 _____________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ Net movement 7.8 3.5 ______________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ As restated - 170.6 ______________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ Net assets As previously reported - 1,574.5 Impact of FRS 17 - Pension (liability)/asset (369.0) 130.0 - Deferred tax thereon 108.3 (39.0) _____________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ Net pension (liability)/asset (260.7) 91.0 ______________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ Impact of FRS 17 - Net increase in profit retained 7.8 3.5 - _____________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ Net movement (252.9) 94.5 ______________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ As restated - 1,669.0 _____________________________________________________ _______________ ______________ _____________ _______________ As a consequence of this change opening shareholders' funds at 1 April 2001 were increased from £1,481.2m to £1,656.2m. 5. Acquisition of subsidiary undertaking On 30 September 2002, the Group acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Dynegy Hornsea Limited, now renamed SSE Hornsea Limited. The fair value of the assets acquired and the final consideration paid as included in these accounts are provisional. 6. Segmental analysis Year to Half Year to Half Year to 31 March 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 restated £m £m £m _______________ ______ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ Turnover 243.2 Power Systems Scotland 111.8 110.3 363.8 England 176.4 169.5 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 607.0 288.2 279.8 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 3,430.4 Generation and Supply 1,582.8 1,578.3 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 566.6 Other businesses 194.6 194.0 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 4,604.0 2,065.6 2,052.1 (598.4) Less inter activity sales (243.5) (247.5) _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 4,005.6 1,822.1 1,804.6 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ Operating profit 117.0 Power Systems Scotland 55.1 53.8 187.1 England 85.3 79.9 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 304.1 140.4 133.7 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 292.1 Generation and Supply 102.4 109.9 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 70.3 Other businesses 34.3 28.0 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ _______________ 666.5 277.1 271.6 _______________ _______________________________ _______________________ ________________ ______________ 7. Dividends The interim dividend per ordinary share of 10.5p (2001: 9.7p) will be paid on 24 March 2003 to those shareholders on the Scottish and Southern Energy plc share register on 7 March 2003. 8. Earnings per Share Year to Half Year to Half year to Half Year to Half year to 31 March 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept 2001 restated restated Earnings per share Earnings Earnings Earnings per Earnings per share share pence £m £m pence pence 50.3 Basic 178.5 170.6 20.8 19.9 ______________________ ______________ _______________ _____________ _______________ _______________ Adjusted for: 1.3 amortisation of 5.7 5.8 0.7 0.7 goodwill 3.1 deferred tax 13.2 10.2 1.5 1.2 ______________________ ______________ _______________ _____________ _______________ _______________ 54.7 Adjusted 197.4 186.6 23.0 21.8 ______________________ ______________ _______________ _____________ _______________ _______________ 50.2 Diluted 178.5 170.6 20.7 19.8 ______________________ ______________ _______________ _____________ _______________ _______________ The adjusted figures are before amortisation of goodwill and the charge for deferred tax. The weighted average number of shares used in each calculation is as follows: Sept. 2002 Sept. 2001 Number of shares Number of shares (millions) (millions) For basic and adjusted earnings per share 858.3 857.5 Effect of exercise of share options 2.2 3.5 ___________________________________ _____________________ ____________________ For diluted earnings per share 860.5 861.0 __________________________________ _____________________ ____________________ 9. Reconciliation of movement in equity shareholders' funds Year to Half Year to Half Year to 31 March 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 restated £m £m £m ______________ __________________________________________________________ ________________ ______________ 321.0 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the financial (82.2) 86.6 period (278.5) Dividends (90.2) (83.8) ______________ __________________________________________________________ ________________ ______________ 42.5 Retained (loss)/profit for the financial period (172.4) 2.8 12.6 New share capital subscribed 2.9 9.5 1.2 Premium on issue of shares to Quest - - (1.3) Contribution to Quest - - (5.1) Repurchase of ordinary share capital for cancellation (2.0) - ______________ __________________________________________________________ ________________ ______________ 49.9 Net (reduction)/addition in shareholders' funds (171.5) 12.3 1,656.2 Opening shareholders' funds 1,706.1 1,656.2 ______________ __________________________________________________________ ________________ ______________ 1,706.1 Closing shareholders' funds 1,534.6 1,668.5 ______________ __________________________________________________________ ________________ ______________ 10. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities Year to Half Year to Half Year to 31 March 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 £m £m restated £m ______________ ______________________________________ ________________ __________________ 602.0 Operating profit 246.2 241.9 19.0 FRS 17 pension charge 8.7 8.7 186.3 Depreciation, amortisation and revaluation 88.4 89.1 adjustments 11.5 Amortisation of goodwill 5.7 5.8 (15.9) Customer contributions and capital grants released (8.0) (7.8) (18.4) (Increase) in stocks (10.1) (20.3) 95.7 Decrease in debtors 149.5 194.8 (46.9) (Decrease) in creditors (32.8) (34.7) (15.1) (Decrease) in provisions (7.0) (3.0) (1.6) (Profit) on disposal of tangible fixed assets (1.2) (2.4) ______________ __________________________________________________ ________________ __________________ 816.6 Net cash inflow from operating activities 439.4 472.1 ______________ __________________________________________________ ________________ __________________ 11. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Year to Half Year to Half Year to 31 March 2002 30 Sept. 2002 30 Sept. 2001 £m £m £m _____________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________ _____________ (3.0) (Decrease) in cash in the financial period (3.1) (2.9) 147.0 Net cash (inflow)/outflow from (increase)/decrease in debt and (44.4) 100.8 lease financing (7.6) Net cash (inflow) from (decrease) in liquid resources (13.6) (2.9) _____________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________ _____________ 136.4 Movement in net debt in the financial period (61.1) 95.0 (1,343.7) Net debt at start of financial period (1,207.3) (1,343.7) _____________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________ _____________ (1,207.3) Net debt at end of financial period (1,268.4) (1,248.7) _____________ _______________________________________________________________ ________________ _____________ 12. Analysis of net debt 1 April 2002 Cash Flow 30 Sept. 2002 £m £m £m _____________________________________________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ Cash at bank and in hand 25.0 (3.1) 21.9 Overdrafts (0.7) - (0.7) Other debt due within one year (184.6) (21.4) (206.0) _____________________________________________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ Net borrowings due within one year (160.3) (24.5) (184.8) Net borrowings due after more than one year (1,070.7) (23.0) (1,093.7) Current asset investments 23.7 (13.6) 10.1 _____________________________________________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ Net debt (1,207.3) (61.1) (1,268.4) _____________________________________________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT BY KPMG AUDIT PLC TO SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ENERGY PLC Introduction We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information set out above and we have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. Directors' responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where they are to be changed in the next annual accounts in which case any changes, and the reasons for them, are to be disclosed. Review work performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/ 4: Review of interim financial information issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and, based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. Review conclusion On the basis of our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 September 2002. KPMG Audit Plc Chartered Accountants Edinburgh 7 November 2002 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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